Ben Leahy is a reporter for the New Zealand Herald.
We are your advocate, Aotearoa. Uncovering stories that matter, asking hard-hitting questions of those in power, live-blogging sport events, monitoring the highs and lows of the NZX and providing Premium expert opinion and analysis. Bringing you distinctive, quality journalism and breaking news from across New Zealand and around the world. With specialists working together to create indepth reads, engaging video, and unmissable podcasts.
'Pack a lot of punch': Why rams attack and why pet animals can be worse
Experts: It's not uncommon for farms to have one or two rams that like to charge.
Fire crews targeting residual hotspots of Titahi Bay blaze ahead of windy day
A drone picked up thermal hotspots overnight which crews will now focus on.
'Cowardly': New claims in case of Kiwi accused of killing beloved Gus the groper
Kiwi tried to shove Gus' body into a supermarket bag in front of upset locals.
Coromandel communities party in the streets as vital highway link reopens for Xmas
The news brings a welcome economic boost to the beleaguered Coromandel Peninsula.
Black algae triggers health warning on Waiheke Island
Tourists and residents should avoid eating mussels and oysters from affected beaches.
Potentially thousands of HB residents yet to be contacted - PM; reports of more victims
Cyclone Gabrielle has claimed an eighth victim.
Live: 'We have no water' in Gisborne, morgue at Napier port; seventh body found
Cyclone Gabrielle has claimed a seventh victim.
Live: Morgue set up at Napier port; seventh body found; 37,000 HB homes powerless
State of emergency still acute in Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay, PM says.
Live: Heavy rain, strong winds wreak havoc in Auckland, North Island regions
Rain is battering Auckland and the top of the North Island.
Farming protest group hits back at minister's comment on low turnout
Minister says protest embarrassing. But now is busiest time on farms, organiser says.
First-home buyers big winners, prices 'could tumble 10pc'
Investors have been targeted with tax changes to help stem soaring house prices.
Buyer beware: Warning over common contract clause that can cost home buyers
Single mum Madhu bought a new Auckland home but wonders if she'll ever get to move in.
Family sell house for $980,000, but cannot afford to buy new Auckland home
George and Lee just made a big sale, yet still can't afford suitable home in Auckland.
Watch: Neighbours at war - digger tears up driveway beneath woman's feet as property dispute escalates
Just luck that no-one was seriously hurt or worse as dispute reaches climax, says owner.
Watch: Man mistaken for deer and shot by hunting buddy hopes to avert future tragedy
Ross is still suffering the effects of being shot by his mate.
Less than $300k to buy in Epsom: Check out 2020's cheapest house sales
Find out where you could've bought a classic timber villa for just $15,000.
Investors buy record share of homes as first-home buyers squeezed
The biggest housing boom in two decades is taking its toll on first-home buyers: analysts.
Fishermen left clinging to chilly bin saved in second water rescue near Thames in a week
Police urge boaties to show care after second dramatic water rescue this week.
Vacant land sales soar as developers rush to cash in on housing demand
Pundits hope a jump in vacant land sales helps ease Auckland's pressing housing shortage.
Where to go to escape Auckland's skyrocketing house prices
Can you achieve work-life balance and pay less for your home?
New Zealand's flashest homes: Take a moment to dream
Lockdown might even be a joy if you owned one of these stunning properties.
Revealed: 2020's most expensive home and its All Black billionaire owners
Luxury house sales boomed again in 2020 even without foreign buyers.
NZ already has a capital gains tax - you probably just didn't know it
There is a capital gains tax already on the books, it's just not enforced: Researchers
New house buying frenzy tipped as funding fuel poured on property market
If you thought house prices were high, they could be about to rise even further.
Modest Auckland home sells for $2.4m - and it wasn't bought by a developer
Developers have been paying big bucks. Now homes are becoming too expensive for even them.
Exclusive poll: How Kiwis are really feeling about house prices
Should house prices rise or fall? Kiwis have their say and it may surprise you.
Election 2020: What's the plan to tackle the housing crisis? Policies compared
How the main political parties plan to deal with house prices and a shortage of homes.
Barfoot & Thompson, others call on National to back Healthy Homes standards
National wants to scrap new rental standards. Leading agent urges party to reconsider.
'Deeply disappointing': Landlords advised to hold off on heating until election result
Labour calls landlord advice 'deeply disappointing' and letting down their fellow Kiwis.
Bait the hooks: You can still fish and hunt but don't leave your local area
There is still fun to be had under alert level 3, provided you do it responsibly.
Worker who lost fingers packing pet food wins court payout
Bay of Plenty woman packing dried pet food had her fingers burnt and crushed.
House prices: Find out what your suburb's Auckland Council CV could have been
Auckland Council delayed its three-yearly CV estimates. Here's what they could have been.
The housing market change first-home buyers are begging for
First-home buyers are battling to save deposits. This change could make a huge difference.
Farmhand accused of animal cruelty unfairly dismissed, employment authority
A farmhand was unjustly dismissed after being accused of animal cruelty.
Why house prices must fall - and why the news isn't all bad
Experts and investors take a deep dive into what to expect from post-Covid house prices.
Million-dollar shipping container for sale - with 7 acres of beachfront
Coastal land south of Auckland perfect for 'horsey' person or surfing Baby Boomer.
House prices tipped for 7% fall, despite lockdown success
Westpac tips house prices to fall 7 per cent by the end of this year.
China bans Aussie meat imports as Covid-19 tensions rise
Canberra and Beijing have become increasingly embroiled in a bitter row.
$1.6m portfolio: Investor buys four properties by age 25
A young Kiwi isn't letting the coronavirus slow him down as he buys his fourth property.
Almost 10 per cent tenants stopped paying rent or left rentals: landlords
Hardship for renters and landlords expected to get worse, property investors say.
Workers on Avatar film accuse landlord of coronavirus profiteering
Three film crew from Avatar's cancelled film set say landlord unfairly pocketed $20,000.
Free or cheaper Airbnb rentals offered to coronavirus medical workers
Airbnb wants to match medical workers tackling coronavirus with safe places to stay.
Tenants found moving house during lockdown warned by police
There is confusion over whether tenants and house sellers and buyers can move homes.
Coronavirus rents: Thousands of Kiwi businesses might not have to pay
Businesses and commercial property owners need to check their leases to see who pays.
Landlords flooded with rent relief requests, tenants want Government help
Landlords and tenants urged to work together because both will need the other in downturn.
House sale confusion: Can buyers move into their new houses?
Settlements and house moving likely to be deferred but no official decision has been made.
Coronavirus lockdown: Wave of uncertainty sweeps NZ property market
New Zealand's lockdown has raised more questions than answers in the housing market.
Auckland first-home buyers at greatest risk from coronavirus pain: experts
Banks are urging any customers hit financially by the crisis to contact them early.
ANZ offers NZ's lowest ever home loan rate from a major bank
Bank drops one-year fixed home loan rate to 3.05 per cent.
Airbnb bookings 'collapse' as tourist numbers fall off a cliff
Now some Airbnb owners have turned to targeting guests needing to self-isolate.
KiwiBuild apartments sell seven times faster than other units: report
KiwiBuild flats are the "success story" of the Auckland apartment market, report says.
Māngere Millionaire's Club: Housing boom spreads to South Auckland
Humble Māngere home sets a record sale price above the million-dollar mark.
Hong Kong family booted from Airbnb rental over coronavirus fears
Family claim Airbnb rental owner discriminated against them based on their nationality.
Deadly coronavirus looms as threat to red-hot housing market
Virus most likely candidate to topple Auckland's thriving housing market, economist says.
$4m in the pocket: Auckland's biggest property winners
A Remuera couple recently made a $4m resale gain by selling their mansion.
100 months in a row: NZ house prices haven't fallen since Rugby World Cup 2011
House prices are on a longer winning streak than the All Blacks.
Auckland boom: modest New Lynn home sells for close to twice its CV
A simple New Lynn quarter acre block has sold for close to $2m as Auckland prices heat up.
House prices to grow by 10 per cent and play key role in election
House prices are flying again and threatening to play a big part in the election.
How to get foot on Auckland property ladder from $50k
New business offers alternative way to get foot on the property ladder.
Multi-million-dollar slice of South Island paradise up for sale
A luxury lodge on 330ha of coastal forest and limestone cliffs is up for grabs for $22.5m.
Rogue landlords fined $124,000 for flouting insulation law
Landlords have been shifting the cost of cold houses on to taxpayers, health expert says.
University splurges $5m on Parnell pad for new vice-chancellor
University of Auckland's new head will move into one of the city's best neighbourhoods.
From selling socks in high school to buying three homes by 22
Christchurch investor Logan Freeman's sock start-up landed him his first home deposit.
End of the line: Which Auckland train line is best for a home-buyer?
New data unveils Goldilocks zone where houses are not too far away and not too expensive.
Five things to know about the housing market in 2020
Will prices rise and which way are interest rates headed? Our experts give their take.
Bouncing back: Auckland house prices make biggest jump in two years
House price resurgence gains speed as pundits tip further rises this year.
Multi-millionaire investor's tips to buying a rental
Investor Graeme Fowler is worth the equivalent of a Lotto win. Here are his tips.
Top end: Rich listers and the homes they bought in 2019
A Herald investigation reveals the names behind biggest house purchases in last two years.
Big spenders: Who bought Auckland's priciest homes and for how much
Kiwi rich listers and wealthy foreign buyers snapped up 2018's priciest pads.
Luxury digs: Who bought the decade's most expensive homes?
Exclusive research reveals the nation's top celebrity and rich-lister home buyers.
Experts fear it will take a tragedy before Government acts on leaky homes
Huge repair costs mean leaky homes are going unrepaired and putting lives at risk.
Property report: How globalisation shook up NZ's property market
The country's biggest riser is not what you think.
Tax crackdown coming for Airbnb owners
Inland Revenue has called on international tax partners to share Airbnb data.
Meet the $15m homestead that could be turned into new suburb
This old homestead once included its own island. Now it looks set to fall to urban sprawl.
Weather comes right as school holidays end
The weather is expected to clear on Sunday, just as holidaymakers head home.
Farm tenant complained of noisy roosters, alleged her landlord killed ducks
A woman renting on a farm lodged a Tenancy Tribunal claim against her landlord.
Morning sun before wet and wild weather hits again
A morning sunny spell should bring a break to Auckland's wild weather.
Your weather: Mild temps today with morning rain clearing
Warmer than average temperatures should give way to a new cold front tomorrow.